Google, MS, Nokia lag on climate solutions

BANGALORE, INDIA: With just 40 days to go for the crucial Climate Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, global ICT (Information, Communication, Technology) majors such as Google, Microsoft and Nokia have been slow to act on carbon emissions reductions, revealed the newest Greenpeace Cool IT Leader Board report.

Google, a new addition to the report, scores 32 out of 100 while Microsoft and Nokia score just 22 and 20 respectively in the second edition of the Cool IT report card, said a press release.

IBM, HP (Hewlett Packard) and Fujitsu occupy the top three places but none of the companies in the report scored even 50/100.

Greenpeace said the key scoring criteria include, clear public support for strong emissions reductions along with a company’s measurable, economy-wide climate solutions while reducing its own emissions.

The Smart 2020 report, commissioned by the IT industry itself, clearly outlines how IT solutions have the potential to cut global GHG emissions 15 per cent by 2020.

Microsoft has relative emission reduction targets as opposed to absolute reductions. Google has set out a plan for reducing emissions by 2030 but has not spoken on the need for a strong global climate deal at Copenhagen.

“Google's position as a climate leader is considerably undermined as one of the few leading technology companies not to disclose even its own greenhouse gas emissions,” said Abhishek Pratap, Toxics and Energy campaigner, Greenpeace.

IBM maintains top spot on the leader board due to an extensive range of climate solutions and actions to reduce its own emissions. But it fails to make significant advocacy efforts towards global emission reduction targets.

The biggest movers in this edition are HP and Toshiba, who show strong progress by providing more comprehensive information on how their technology solutions can reduce global emissions, the release said.

Nokia had the highest renewable energy use and target among the brands surveyed but the company did not move toward support for global emission reduction. “CEOs of globally leading companies such as Nokia and Microsoft cannot afford to remain silent on the most urgent issue facing the planet”, said Vinuta Gopal, Climate & Energy campaigner, Greenpeace.

Indian companies have made significant moves on climate action by disclosing externally verified carbon emission, setting targets for emission reduction and uptake of renewable energy. “Indian ICT major Wipro’s disclosure of carbon emissions and commitment to absolute reduction targets contrasts starkly against Google and Microsoft’s relative inaction on climate solutions before the Copenhagen Climate summit,” said Pratap.